Young Professionals

Job Hunting Tips That Will Help You Kickstart Your Career

Struggling to break into your dream career? It can seem impossible when you’re fresh out of college with zero experience, most job descriptions will request at least 3-5 years of experience which will leave you silently screaming “BUT HOW CAN I EVER GET EXPERIENCE IF I CANT GET A JOB WITHOUT EXPERIENCE?!” It seems like an endless, impenetrable circle at times, but don’t panic, be patient and take these job hunting tips on board to land the job of your dreams.

1. Prepare to work for free

Yeah, it sucks, and not everyone is fortunate to be in the position to do able to do this (we gotta pay rent you know?), but the easiest way to gain experience is to take part in some sort of work experience/internship. If you’re able to save some money and move in with family/friends to enable yourself to do this, great. If not, a part-time internship along a part-time job is a great way to keep earning, whilst taking steps to break into your dream career.

2. Search outside the box

Applying for work on the regular job hunting websites can leave you behind the pack if you’re lacking experience. The online filters search your CV and cover letter and if you aren’t a super close match, your CV may not even get seen by a human. There is often a large volume of applicants on these sites too, making your chances of success even less likely. The best method I have found is to contact directly via email, found on the company website. Not only are you more likely to have your application seen but it also shows a bit of initiative and extra effort.

3. Perfect your cover letter

People always stress about perfecting their CV, not too short, not too long, making sure the key information is at the start. Whilst your CV is, of course, important, your cover letter deserves just as much attention. As the body of your message, it’s the first thing that your potential employer will see and it needs to be something that will grab their attention. Don’t fall into the trap of repeating your CV in your cover letter, it’s a waste of a great opportunity to get your message across. Get creative, grab attention and tailor your cover letter around the description of the job you’re after.

4. Don’t be disheartened

Setbacks and rejections are going to happen a lot while you’re job hunting, the key is to not let yourself get disheartened and don’t give up on that job you’re after. A great way to make sure you don’t end up settling for something else it to try temping, that way you have an income but you’re not committed to anything so you can keep applying for the job you really want.

See Also

5. Never say no to an opportunity

Informative workshop? Do it. One day of work experience? 100%. Someone wants to meet for coffee to discuss your work? Go.

No matter how small the opportunity, even if it might seem like a waste of time, make sure you take it on. Job hunting is a weird game and doors can open when you least expect it. Meet as many people in your chosen industry as possible, network and make connections. Get any snippet of experience you can, it’ll all add up to something great.

Job hunting can seem impossible at times, you’ll feel like you’re never going to get the break you need and even doubt that you should continue to pursue this career. Don’t give up and don’t settle for a job you don’t love, you’ll get there eventually. Let us know if you found this to be helpful in the comments!

Featured Image Source: https://weheartit.com/entry/331053327?context_query=laptop&context_type=search
Share
Ellen Walker

Recent Posts

Hunt For The Best Dumplings In London

London's thriving food scene has seen an incredible amount of new Asian restaurants in the capital. While you've got the…

41 mins ago

5 Ways To Dress Up Your Denim And Look Fabulous

Denim does not have to be boring and a go-to every day look. Learn how to dress up your denim…

3 hours ago

Here’s The Best UK Cities To Move To For University

When choosing a university, there is more to consider than just what courses they offer. It is also important to…

9 hours ago

Everything You Need To Know About London Modest Fashion Week

You've heard of London Fashion week and perhaps you've heard of UK Plus Size Fashion Week, but what about London…

11 hours ago

The Ultimate University Bucket List That Every Fresher Needs To Complete

Going to University isn’t just about studying, it’s also about enjoying yourself and trying new things. University should be some…

13 hours ago

10 Oils You Should Absolutely Use If You Have Dry Skin

Dry skin need to use oils that are high in oleic acid. Oleic acid is a lightweight and very moisturizing…

15 hours ago